Sherrone Moore’s Wolverines are getting back on track after their loss to the Texas Longhorns. However, analysts and fans are not liking the way they are winning. People who praised his decisions after the season opener have begun to voice their criticisms following the defeat. Last week, Michigan secured a narrow 27-24 victory against Minnesota.

The Michigan Wolverines are going to play their sixth game in a few hours. Former Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas has criticized Alex Orji’s performance, labeling it “troubling” and calling Sherrone Moore’s Michigan team “overrated.” This criticism comes in the wake of Michigan’s struggles this season, including a disappointing loss to Texas.

ESPN’s College Football YouTube channel shared a video where Christine Williamson, Harry Lyles Jr., and Harry Douglas discussed whether Michigan is overrated or underrated. Douglas, a former player, strongly believes Michigan is overrated. He also slammed Alex for his running game: “Michigan will arrange for the defending champs their fourth one of the season. HC, they’re overrated. I’m going overrated, and it simply will become from the quarterback position. Alex, I know they made a quarterback change, but when you can’t pass 100 yards in a college football game, that’s troubling to me.”

He further emphasized the urgency for Michigan to solidify its offensive identity. “They’re tight ends. I don’t know who is going to take over the reigns in the wide receivers. I don’t know who’s the top dog, right? So when it comes to the pass game, when you can’t get that run game going against whatever component that you’re playing against, your one dimensional and we see that versus the University of Texas when they came up to Ann Arbor, I think it’s safe to say it’s a rebuilding here for Michigan.”

As the season progresses, head coach Sherrone Moore faces mounting pressure to establish a more effective offensive identity. Wolverines will soon play against Washington. Today’s game is going to be very crucial for Michigan to regain its competitive edge and silence critics like Douglas.

Evaluating Alex Orji’s challenges in Michigan Wolverines’s offense

Alex Orji is currently one of the most debated quarterbacks in the nation. However, he is yet to establish himself as the true No. 1 of the Wolverines’ offense. Why? Well, in the last two games (both wins), the passing game has been non-existent. The team is forced to rely on its run game and some plays by special teams. While that strategy can come handy for a game or two, it’s not really a winning strategy in the long run.

Michigan currently ranks No. 129 in passing offense and No. 132 in passing yards per completion. Alex Orji has completed 20 of 36 passes this season for 133 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. However, 36 attempts are too few to form a solid judgment about his abilities. Orji stepped in as the starting quarterback after Davis Warren, who struggled in the first three games with two touchdowns and six interceptions.

Alex Orji started strong but then struggled with his running game, showing that his problems aren’t easy to fix. The offensive line is still improving and is relying too much on tight ends. Colston Loveland is a concern; as he plays more, the risk of injury increases. It’s important for the Wolverines to carefully manage Loveland’s playing time early in the season to avoid fatigue. Balancing these issues will be key for Michigan as it aims to enhance its overall performance on the field. They need to improve their passing game while staying healthy and effective throughout the season.

As Michigan continues to address its offensive struggles, the coaching staff is focusing on enhancing the passing game. Offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell has acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing that both the receivers and offensive line must step up their performance. Kirk has also hinted that Jack Tuttle is a viable option moving forward. If Michigan can successfully solve its quarterback issues, it may regain momentum and enhance its chances of success as the season progresses.

The game against the Huskies today will be a real challenge. It’s one thing that it’s the first away game for the Wolverines. That is a challenge in itself when you step out of the comforts of Ann Arbor. Add to that, it’s a revenge game for the opposition. The Huskies fell to the Jim Harbaugh-led Wolverines in the national championship game in January. Let’s see how a Kalen Deboer-less Huskies fare against the national champions.